Krishna district is a pillar of strength as far as the growth of Andhra Carrom Association (ACA) is concerned. A good number of tournaments are held in a calendar year in and around the district, according to Neeraj Kumar Sampathy, secretary, ACA.
Speaking at the opening of the first ranking tournament for men and women at the Railway Institute, he said both Guntur and Krishna districts played a crucial role in the promotion of the game. “Institutional support is imperative for the growth of any game. Guntur’s LVR & Sons and Vijayawada’s Railway Institute are always for us, and more institutions are coming forward to sponsor the popular indoor game from other districts,” he added.
Additional Divisional Railway Manager N.S.R. Prasad said having too many academies was bad for the overall development of players. “Play to win and play with all fairness,” he advised the 150-odd players from 13 districts of coastal and Rayalaseema regions. All India Carrom Federation vice-president Movva Chandra Mouli said coaching camps, where future players could be identified, were essential for the promotion of the game. “Krishna and Guntur have already started the camps. Soon, Kurnool, Chittoor and Prakasam districts will start camps,” he added.
ACA chairman K.S.N. Sankar Rao said the tournament was a selection tourney for the South Zone fixture, which will be held in Hyderabad in June. Much to the delight of players, the organising committee introduced young Haripriya from Srikakulam, who emerged as the national cadet champion in the girls’ category in the recently concluded national event.
The three-day tournament is organised in memory of carom player Gadde Ramesh Babu. Divisional Sports Officer Ramesh Chandra and Krishna District Carrom Association secretary S. Srinivas were present.
